Portable receptacle for returnable beverage containers

Abstract

A portable receptacle capable of securely and orderly receiving returnable beverage containers for storage and transport is disclosed. The receptacle includes a frame structure definitive of at least one module that is sized to receive a plurality of returnable cans and/or bottles. The module has an outwardly facing open end to facilitate insertion of containers therein, and an at least partially sealed end opposed thereto for positioning the containers. Orienting means are provided for angling containers positioned within the module downwardly from the open end to the at least partially sealed end such that any residue fluid retained within the containers remains therein and such that the containers remain within the receptacle when in transport. Enhancements include the provision of multiple container receiving modules symmetrically arranged within the frame structure, the sizing of each module to receive a returnable can or bottle in tiers, and the manufacture of the receptacle to be collapsible when empty.

I claim: 
     
       1. A receptacle for storing and transporting returnable beverage containers, said receptacle comprising: portable frame structure, said structure having at least one module sized to receive a plurality of returnable beverage container, said at least one module having an outwardly facing open end and an at least partially sealed end opposed thereto, said open end allowing positioning of said plurality of containers within said at least one module, said at least one module including means for orienting said containers within said module such that the containers are angled downwardly from said open module end to said at least partially sealed end, said at least one module being sized such that said containers remain so angularly orientated when stored and when transported within the receptacle, whereby residue fluids within said containers remain therein when the containers are positioned within said module with their tops facing outward at said open end of said module, and said orienting means enhances retention of said beverage containers within said at least one module when said receptacle is utilized to transport said containers.   
     
     
       2. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein said at least one module receives said plurality of returnable beverage containers in tiers, each of said tiers being oriented such that said received containers are angled downwardly from said open module end to said at least partially sealed end. 
     
     
       3. The receptacle of claim 2, wherein said frame structure includes a plurality of container receiving modules, each of said modules having said means for orienting said containers downwardly from the module's open end to its at least partially sealed end. 
     
     
       4. The receptacle of claim 3, wherein said orienting means position said containers at an angle in the range of 10° to 50° to horizontal. 
     
     
       5. The receptacle of claim 3, wherein said plurality of container receiving modules are symmetrically arranged within said frame structure. 
     
     
       6. The receptacle of claim 3, wherein each container tier within each of said modules consists of a single beverage container. 
     
     
       7. The receptacle of claim 3, wherein said frame structure has a top surface and said receptacle further comprises a carrying handle positioned approximately central the top of said structure. 
     
     
       8. The receptacle of claim 3, wherein each module has two sides and includes an elongated opening within at least one of its sides to facilitate counting the number of containers stored therein. 
     
     
       9. The receptacle of claim 3, wherein said frame structure is manufactured of an open frame construction. 
     
     
       10. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein said frame structure is collapsible when empty of beverage containers. 
     
     
       11. The receptacle of claim 9, wherein said frame structure is manufactured of a plastic material and includes areas of reduced thickness definitive of hinges which allow said structure to collapse when empty of beverage containers. 
     
     
       12. The receptable of claim 1, further comprising a cover positionable over said frame structure for retaining beverage containers within said structure when used to transport said containers. 
     
     
       13. The receptacle of claim 1, wherein said at least one module has opposing side surfaces, said side surfaces being partially collapsible to frictionally engage the containers within said module when said receptacle is lifted for transport. 
     
     
       14. The receptacle of claim 13, further comprising retaining lips at the side surfaces of said module adjacent said outwardly facing open end. 
     
     
       15. The receptacle of claim 14, wherein said at least one module's sizing, said orienting means, said partially collapsible side surfaces and said retaining lips all cooperate to securely hold said containers at said angular orientation when the containers are stored within the receptacle and when the containers are transported in the receptacle. 
     
     
       16. The receptacle of claim 15, wherein said orienting means includes one of a strap and a bar interconnecting said at least one module side surfaces proximate said open end.